“Miss Hokusai” Anime Movie Review

Oi and her little sister admiring the winter flowers.

Oi, her father, and his apprentice Zenjiro, work in their disheveled studio.

Set in 19th Centery Edo (present day Tokyo), Miss Hokusai, tells the story of renown Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai?s daughter, Oi Katsushika.? Acting as her father?s assistant and collaborator, Oi is determined to make herself known as an independent artist. Alongside her father?s other apprentice, Zenjiro Ikeda, the three of them make a living?by hired contracts from all walks of life- while all living in a tiny hovel that remains habitually dirty and disorganized.

Touched with wonderful moments of sentiment, Miss Hokusai takes the viewer to a world of artists, drunks, courtesans, and even the supernatural. ?Boldly and beautifully animated, the film is presented as many intertwining vignettes.? Flowing from one episodic tale to another, the audience is shown the life and struggles of the Katsushika family in all its honesty and glory.

Despite which language this movie is viewed on, ?Miss Hokusai? should be added to anyone?s movie list especially if one is already a fan to Japanese animated movies.